HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission Meeting December 5, 2006
REGULAR MEETING COMMISSION CHAMBER
DECEMBER 5, 2006
Augusta Richmond County Commission convened at 2:03 p.m., December 5, 2006, the
Hon. Marion Williams, Mayor Pro Tem, presiding.
PRESENT: Hons. Smith, Grantham, Harper, Hatney, Cheek, Bowles and Brigham,
members of Augusta Richmond County Commission.
ABSENT: Hons. Deke Copenhaver, Mayor; Holland and Beard, members of Augusta
Richmond County Commission.
Also present: Steve Shepard, Attorney; Fred Russell, Administrator; Lena Bonner, Clerk
of Commission.
The invocation was given by Pastor Willie James, First Shiloh Baptist Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was recited.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Ms. Bonner, do you have something for Pastor James?
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Pastor, we certainly appreciate you taking your time. If you’ll
come forward, Ms. Bonner has something she wants to give you.
The Clerk: Pastor James, on behalf of the Mayor in his absence and the Mayor Pro Tem
and the members of the Commission we’d like to thank you for coming here today to impart in
that petition and --- on our behalf. We really appreciate that and in honor of that we make you
our Chaplain of the Day. Thank you for being here.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Ms. Bonner, are you gonna go to Presentations next or the ---
The Clerk: Addendum Agenda, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: --- Addendum Agenda.
The Clerk: I call your attention to our Addendum Agenda.
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Presentation:
Judge Dudley Bowen
Commissioner Andy Cheek
RE: Diversion Dam
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Consent Agenda:
1. Motion to approve the recommendations from the Historic Preservation Commission
to designate Olde Town as a Local Historic District. (Second Reading)
Regular Agenda:
2. Motion to approve the appointment of Dr. William J. Welsh to the General Aviation
Commission representing District 6.
Mr. Cheek: So moved.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can I get a second?
Mr. Holland: One question. On the item, uh, this Olde Town Item, I’ve got some
problems with this one. I would not agree to have this put on the agenda. I can’t do that. I
talked to too many folks that live beyond Telfair Street that have no clue about this. I need some
more, if I can’t ---
Mr. Cheek: Restate the motion?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Cheek.
The Clerk: He has objections. Okay, you want me to restate that?
Mr. Cheek: Yeah, just restate the motion. If there’d be no objection to Item #2 and the
Presentations be added to the agenda, that Item #2 be added to the consent agenda.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: There’s a motion. Can I get a second?
Mr. Hatney: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: That motion brought a second. All those in favor?
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Chairman?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Brigham.
Mr. Brigham: Um, I hate to question this but I thought an ordinance that was passed last
time automatically would appear on the agenda this time. Is there a reason for it not?
The Clerk: Yes, sir, it was an oversight on our, um, behalf in the Clerk’s office did not
realize there was an ordinance that it should have been the second reading and that’s why it’s
being added on today. If we do not have unanimous consent it will be added on under the
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consent agenda on the December 19 meeting.
Mr. Brigham: Okay.
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Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Any other questions? If not, all those in favor let it be known by
the normal sign of voting.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Presentation by Judge Dudley Bowen. Judge, please come
forward. Good to have you here today.
Judge Bowen: Thank you Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, and to the Mayor in his absence, to the
Commissioners of this fine City and County. I’m here really to say thank you and to tell you
about a project that has been completed. A project in which this Commission, and its
predecessors, have participated in a very large way. A project that has not in any way been
controversial and I think it’s a commentary on the 98% of the work that you do day by day, week
by week as to which there is no confrontation, no controversy and a commentary on how the
business of this City and County really gets done. And I want to say thank you for what you’ve
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done in contributing to and participating in the Federal Justice Center along Telfair between 8
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and 9 Streets, which goes by the address of 600 James Brown Boulevard, Augusta, Georgia.
I’d have to say that, while I’m indebted to this Commission, I’m also indebted to probably forty
Commissioners in the past and at least four Mayors, all of whom have embraced this project,
literally as their own. And while it was Federal in its very nature, I suppose, it could not be more
of a product of the combined efforts of the City and County and the Federal Government.
Because of that, because of the wonderful work that the City and County did, not only in just
closing the streets and allowing the work to be done in Barrett Plaza, and giving us the much
needed and much appreciated assistance with the lighting. Just the attitudinal type of assistance
that we received is what really made it possible. When former Commissioners Brigham and
Beard met with me and officials with the General Services Administration many years ago, when
so many of you and your predecessors have helped, I knew that this project would eventually
going to become a reality. And, now it is a conclusion. And we have probably the finest
Governmental enclave within the Federal sector that exists anywhere in this Country. Not the
largest but quality wise, I think it’s the best. In light of that, I’m gonna ask Ms. Bonner to pass
out a digital photograph that (Unintelligible) and there’s a few left over if anybody wants them.
This is a picture that we took last week when the Augusta Water Garden was completed. This is
a garden structure, which was constructed out of materials that was salvaged from the site.
Things that we knew that have great value, pieces of curb stone, old Augusta block bricks, old
granite pavers, things of that nature, which we combined with the assistance of one of our
contractors, Alan Marshal and made into what I think is a beautiful fountain and water garden.
And I have this other presentation that I also would like Ms. Bonner to pass out if she will. I
want to read to you the plaque that will be placed right at the very back of this water garden
along the walkway that approaches it. It will be a bronze plaque, sixteen by twenty inches,
having approximately three quarter inch letters and it reads as follows: The Augusta Water
Garden. This water garden and fountain was created October 2006 with the assistance of local
artisan Alan Marshall. The garden fountain and patio area are dedicated to honor and remember
the invaluable contributions of the officials and employees of the consolidated government of
Augusta Richmond County during the construction of the Federal Justice Center. This memorial
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was dedicated for the stated purpose on December 5, 2006 on behalf of the United States
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District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. It gives me great pleasure to make this
presentation. I hope that each of you and anybody else who wants to will come over and see this
plaque as soon as it’s installed. Unfortunately that will not be this afternoon. I hope you’ll
notice that in the wording of it, it was made to remember the contributions of not just the city
officials. While you and you predecessors and others who have the status of officials have
helped this so much, I cannot tell you what it means on a daily basis to see the work, the
craftsmanship, the skill and the good nature of the city employees who have been in and out of
that project for the last few months. One of ‘em has his picture down stairs at the base of the
elevator bank, Glen Dukes who is employee of the month and I wrote Mr. Russell a letter to
support that nomination that Bo Fowler made and would do so many times over. I’d like to say
the same about so many of the city employees. We could only say one at a time. So for the city
officials, for the city employees and for the Government of Richmond County and Augusta
generally, the Federal Government, the United States District Court says thank you, thank you
very, very much for all that you did to make that project a reality.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Judge, before you sit down, Judge Bowen, I know some other
Commissioners may have a word but I just want to say to you that uh, you have done an
outstanding job as uh, leading in that facility. And it has truly been a change on Telfair and
James Brown Boulevard there because of your effort. You have given the City a goal to shoot
for, uh, to match those buildings coming here and I just thank you so much for your dedication
and your hard work that you put in. Now some of these other Commissioners may have a word
to say but I really appreciate all your effort and all that you’ve done in the project Judge. Thank
you very much. Anyone else have a comment? Andy.
Mr. Cheek: I’m just gonnna, I’ll keep it brief. What Marion said, your honor, and it’s a
very humbling to be in your court and you’ve done a beautiful job overseeing that and your
employees love you dearly.
Judge Bowen: You’re all very kind and I enjoyed being with you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you, Judge Bowen.
Mr. Cheek: Motion to receive as information?
Mr. Grantham: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We have a motion and a second. All those in favor let it be known
by the normal sign of voting.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Next item Madame Clerk.
The Clerk:
Presentation by Mr. Cheek:
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Mr. Cheek: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, honorable members of the Commission. A little over a
year ago it was brought to our attention that we had some problems in our Diversion Dam and
this is a 145 plus year old structure that has not had repairs on it in an estimated 75 perhaps even
longer years. You’re gonna see evidence of the damage that had occurred over those many
seasons of rain fall events and flooding, how this engineering has survived but it was in
desperate need of repairs. We as a Commission voted then to allocate $2 million to begin repairs
of the Diversion Dam. You’re going to see the beginnings of those efforts. This is a report on
the status. This is a view from the deck at the uh, Columbia County Pavilion. This is a view
during a low flow event. Um, the dam, just to give some scale. The dam is 18’ tall, 18’ at the
base. It’s like a pyramid. You’ll notice across the top, right up in here that’s about eight feet
wide and so you actually walk out as walkway across the dam and that’s how some of the
inspections were done. And again that’s another view and you can see the top of the dam. This
was constructed of granite block. There’s been some masonry, large aggregate concrete put in
over the years but that’s about all that’s been done and that’s maybe about 75 years ago. This is
a view from South Carolina. This is the Gate House, that’s water to the canal right here and the
Pavilion is right up here and that’s probably a little over a quarter mile wide at that point. Here
you’ll notice these trees. While they look small here, some of these trees are 40-60 inches in
diameter. Some are even larger than that. Some of these, we walked out on here, we couldn’t.
Four very large men could not even move them. This is the stop log that you’ll be hearing about
in a few minutes. This is where one of the failures occurred, right in this area that you’ll see later
on. This hole is uh, you’ll remember it’s 18 fee tall at the water line so you’ll notice that this
hole is 18 feet wide, the depth of it’s three feet deep into the dam. All the rocks that are in the
face of the dam at the water line and below are gone. This is one of the areas we’re working to
repair. That’s a small hole. This is a larger hole. That’s over thirty feet across. Again the rocks
are gone that supported the base of the dam. Penetration is about 25% through the 18 feet of the
dam. You’ll notice this area here there’s evidence of off welling that shows flow coming
underneath the dam through the rock in different areas. And this is about the center towards uh,
where I showed you the stop log, this is right at the turn there. This is not the only, these are not
the only areas where this king of collapse occurred. These are just some of the major areas. This
is through dam leakage that you see. Again the picture’s kind of squashed down, but that’s
actually coming through the dam. These are some larger flows, the same type of thing coming
through the dam. And after a hundred and forty some odd years even great concrete gets old,
and there’s a close up of it, right here. You guys did a really great job. This is the center. The
stop logs in the center where made to raise and lower the level the upstream portion and allow
work on the dam. Uh, this is the backside of the buttress. The buttress is about eight feet wide
and twenty feet long. When we went out and did the inspection a diver actually went up inside
this, his entire body went up in it. You’ll see a picture later on that shows a 10-inch PVC pipe
actually penetrating the entire width of the dam. Again the trees, accumulating on the dam and
that causes stress as those rock back and forth on that old masonry. And that was one of the
things we asked to uh, to have removed. Again that’s another view of the double failure there
where it’s collapsed. This is the fish ladder. And this actually works. Back a few years ago
when I could swim better, we used to go out and watch the fifteen and twenty-pound striped bass
actually swim up this fish ladder. But both sides of the fish ladder have collapsed. The concrete
has eroded down this whole side. And that’s another area we’re looking at repairing. Now this
is near the fish ladder as well. That’s another collapsed area that we’re looking at repairing.
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This is the other side. If you were standing at the Pavilion looking at out across the dam, this
what you’d see. Looks natural but when you get up close you’ll see the exposed rebar and other
um, other steel structures and broken concrete. This is where the first mill, this is on the
Carolina side. This is where the first mill was placed on the river on the canal Diversion Dam.
That actually used to be a, I think a lumber and a gristmill. It’s in Dr. Cashin’s book. That’s as
it appears. And you can see, again it’s an area that just needs to be cleaned up and periodically
inspected and tended to. Penetrations in the wall are about for feet. Some of these holes are big
enough to park my Explorer in. These barges were in place doing work on the gates, --- the
canal. This is the contactor we hired to begin the work. It was already on site. And one of the
things I would like to encourage the Commission to do is to maintain them onsite, to complete
the work all the way across this dam. There’s still a lot of work left to do. But they already have
the barges and the concrete, mason equipment and everything else already on site. To do this
kind of work you have to coordinate with the Corps of Engineers, uh not to have to much water
coming out of Clark Hill and with SCE&G and are utilities department has done a fine job
working with the contractors to make sure they can do this safely. You can imagine if you had a
major rainfall event, which you’ll see in just a second. That water could actually wash some of
this equipment over or cause some damage to the equipment or injure individuals. This is, if
you’re standing on top of the uh, the gate, between the gatehouse and the dam itself, this is an
area that from normal conditions would be underwater. There didn’t look like there’d be a
problem. They started on this end, the canal side of the dam and started working across fixing
every problem they saw. What you don’t see behind that is the old, old way to get up is a ladder
that is over a hundred years old. It’s an old wrought iron ladder that we used to use to climb
years ago. This is the way the contractors went up and down and this is right next to the center
portion, between the canal and the Diversion Dam. Okay, watch this area right here. Now this is
normal. It’s a little low for normal. Pumped it out. This is completely undermined and the stone
is missing. All it needs is a tree or something large to fall over and knock these rocks away.
This is what happens when you get a large rainfall event. Um, and it could change in literally
minutes to this kind of event. This is why this work is so hazardous and these guys have been so
valuable to us. They’re working on the repairs to the center. You can see the collapse at the
backend of this buttress that runs all the way across. These are the stop logs that go in between
and actually keep the level at the proper level across the dam. Two of the logs were missing.
They’ve been replaced. This pipe actually is at the base of that structure. It’s in the center of the
dam. It goes all the way through um, and the film that I could not include, have to do the
memory on this, shows them trying to repair this. This is where we’re act now. They’re going
back and try to repair this in a better way to make this solid concrete through there. You can see
this is uh, that pipe at the base of that buttress. So that’s where we are with the repairs, there’s
uh another, probably another season once we get beyond the rainy season there’s another season
of repairs before we move into the canal. This shows the work out in the center and this is the
stop logs I think there’s three sets of four out there. Anyway, that’s where we’re at and we’ve
got to proceed across to complete the remainder of the repairs. To restore this, I think it’s
incumbent upon us as Commissioners and leaders of the City to leave this for the next 145 year,
for the following generation of Augustans just like this was left us. This is the most important
asset the City of Augusta. If this were to fail or collapse, or any way re-licensing it under current
criteria would be nearly impossible, maintaining it as it is and periodically performing upkeep on
this. There’s funding and utilities to do that. I think that should stay within the uh, utilities
department. The Canal Authority has not, doesn’t have the resources to do a lot of the upkeep on
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it. It’s just important that we follow through with this, this coming year and so um, Mr. Mayor
Pro Tem and members of the Commission, that’s the presentation. If there’s any questions I’d
like to, I’d be happy to answer them or Max and Drew are here, they’re more knowledgeable that
I am. I just wanted to say, this is something we’ve done right this past year and something that I
hope that we will continue and I will say this and I think you’ve all heard this probably a dozen
times from me. But, the area between I-20 and the pumping station, the towpath is as bad. And
that will have to be addressed sooner hopefully than later. So in the coming year I will be asking
you for a, um legislation to help push forward getting those repairs made there.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can I get a motion to receive this as information?
Mr. Hatney: So moved.
Mr. Bowles: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion and second to receive this as information. Any further
comments? Anybody got any further questions for Drew or for Max or for Andy. If not, vote by
the normal sign of voting. Thank you Commissioner Cheek.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Next presentation.
PRESENTATION(S)
A. Dr. Terrence Cook Richmond County Medical Society. RE: Project Access.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Dr. Cook, give us your name and address for the record please and
you have five minutes, sir.
Dr. Cook: Dr. Terrence Cook, #10 Summerville Lane, Augusta, Georgia, 30909. I am
chairman of the Project Access Committee for the Richmond County Medical Society and I’m
here today to make my annual report to the County Commission. On the grant that they have
given to the County Commission, uh to the County Medical Society each year for the past three
years, to provide indigent care for citizens of Richmond County. I’ve given each of you a
summary of uh, where the project is. For those who are not as aware of what it takes to qualify
for the program, I have listed their qualifications, the enrolled hospitals and the participants in
the project. Um, be aware that with the figures down below, we don’t get our final figures
probably until the end of March of the following year. So the year 2006 is incomplete, but 2005
is complete. And I think you will see, for the $400,000.00 that the County Commission invested
in the program in 2005, we returned to the County over $2 million dollars worth of service to
uninsured, indigent care citizens of our community. We expect that for 2006 the figures will go
well beyond that. Already through October the number of prescriptions written and paid for far
exceed what we did in 2005. So the program is doing well, I’m here to thank the Commission
for their participation in this project. We’ve seen in recent years sources of indigent care funds
uh, from the Federal level, from the State level have dried up. And so this is one of the few
programs existing to provide comprehensive medical care for indigent citizens of our
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community. Um, every patient that is served is asked later to fill out a patient satisfaction survey
and we have a number of those. I think next year in our report I will have a second sheet here
which will contain comments from recipients of this program, let you know how much they
appreciate uh, what you’ve been able to do for them. I think thanks are also due from this
community for the physicians who volunteer to see these patients at no charge. For the
pharmacists who charge no uh, fee for filling their prescriptions and for the hospitals that
participate. We’re often asked well, how many, you’ll notice that since inception we’ve had
2200 patients go through the project. 422 remain today. What happens to those who rotate off
this program? So, we don’t have a report on all of them but a few I can let you know about that
we’re aware of. Ten have gone to Medicare, 37 have qualified for Medicaid, and our DFACS
worker qualified them. Nine now have private insurance. 83 have obtained employment
because they were restored to health and their income now exceeds 150% of the Federal poverty
index. 23 have moved out of the city, eight are deceased. In many cases this has been a very
important project, a very important community outreach to those in our community most in need
of supportive health care. And it has certainly accomplished that um, that goal to this point. We
appreciate your continued confidence in our project, we thank you for the funds you have so far
entrusted to us and we are told that those funds were to be increased for this year. And I know
how very, very difficult that was for you to do and we really greatly appreciate it. I would be
happy to answer any questions you have about the project.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Dr. Cook, just let me say, first of all for being a good Samaritan for
those who don’t understand how those who are downtrodden, those who are less fortunate, those
who need medical assistance is, is viable that we keep such programs as the one that you are
talking about now uh, in this community and all over the world for that matter. But I just thank
you personally for uh, having the dedication, the drive to do what you do and to maintain uh, try
to help maintain the lifestyle for so many that’s unfortunate. Uh, I can’t say enough about that, I
know that the poor will always be among us and we don’t know where we’ll be at the next day.
A lot of us think that we’re gonna be where we are all the time and I can attest that’s certainly
not gonna be true. Some of us gonna need some assistance, where it may be medical or some
other type but we, we, are our brother’s keepers and I just want to say that and I thank you very
much. Any other Commissioners have any comments they want to bring, or want to say at this
time you’re welcome to.
Dr. Cook: Thank you very much. One last comment I had was that the Columbia
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County has voted to enjoin us in this project and they went on line November 1 of this year and
they are putting money into the project and that will help to further share the overhead in
administering this project so that the cost to Richmond County will come down. And as we
obtain more funds from them, the dilutions of those administrative services will continue. So
more money will be available to provide prescription medications for the enrolled patients.
Thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Thank you. Can I get a motion to receive this?
Mr. Brigham: So moved.
Mr. Hatney: Second.
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Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion and a second. All in favor let it be known by the normal
sign of voting.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Next item Madame Clerk.
DELEGATIONS
B. Mr. Billy Hatcher, RE: Fiesta South Project.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Hatcher, give us your name and address please for the record
and you have five minutes to ---
Mr. Hatcher: All right sir. My name is Billy Hatcher, my address 33 ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Could you speak into the mike, please, sir?
Mr. Hatcher: My name is Billy Hatcher. My address is 332 Starling Drive, Augusta,
Georgia. I’m in reference, to come here to present to the Fiesta South. And recently I’ve been
reading in the paper about the budget and the, originally, I’m from Texas, and I came up with the
idea to help the City out with their budget. And I know this project is new to the Richmond
County and Columbia County in, it will help the crime, gangs, cause this is what a lot, how we’re
involved with a tournaments, you know. And this --- committed together, like a big party, a big
celebration. And not only that we’ve asked other guests (unintelligible) to come in and join us in
this big celebration. And for ten days this will bring up the budget for Richmond County, to help
keep the police officers on duty, to keep the buses running, to have the crime go down. If you
have recently read the paper, where all the big cities have crime besides San Antonio, the reason
they don’t have that big of crime because the have the same type of events that I’m presenting.
And it will help out this City, you know. I did a lot of hard work, I did a lot of these applications
myself to show you how we get our funds by the fees that people sign up for tournaments and
parades and etc. and like vendors as well. And I was supposed to have some help today but I
guess they didn’t show up. I’m sorry about that. But any way, I give you all each one a
pamphlet to just you an idea what’s on the applications that I’ve been working on, give you an
idea how the parades gonna work, how people have signed up for it. I have talked to people,
within four months getting all this together just trying to do my homework to present this to
y’all. To make sure, to you show y’all that it will, that it can happen if you really try, you know.
I want to see; I don’t see nothing wrong with Richmond County cause I’ve been here since ‘85.
And I’m ex military myself. And um, I’m doing the best I can for this City. And I hope each
one of y’all will give us support, help me with this project, you know. And a lot of people are
really, really for this. I know it’s brand new, and anybody never been to a fiesta before and it’s
been new to Augusta, Richmond County and this big event for ten days. Cause I have talked to
people and also our soldiers, they all telling their people to come here, you know. And I, we also
I plan to put it on bulletin boards, signs on I-20 and letting people know that we have this event.
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Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Uh, Mr. Hatcher, I certainly thank you for your courage and your
ability to at least think outside the box.
Mr. Hatcher: Yeah.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I hear that often from Commissioner Holland and I think your idea,
it’s a good one and I think the Administrator will probably be tasked to look into it, to see what
we can do and how we can do it and even if we can do it. But so many people have thoughts but
they won’t come out and speak out on it because we fear uh, someone not going to approve and
not going to understand, but I certainly appreciate your effort in coming ---
Mr. Hatcher: Okay, I what I was gonna say is that I didn’t mean to interrupt you, but see
I’m just trying to get approval, we can move on. We’re not behind, we had, I had to come up
here to get approval for this, we can move on.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well what we going to do is get it tasked our Administrator to
before we say to you approval. We need to get him to look at it and kinda go over with a fine-
toothed comb to make sure that we’re doing or we have done, on a legal side what we can do. I
can’t say that we can approve it and I can’t say we are not, but Mr. Russell will be, Mr. Russell,
you got something?
Mr. Russell: Yes, sir, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. We’ve met once and I’ve preliminary taken a
look at what we’ve got. I’d be more than happy to get with him again and determine a path
forward and determine if it’s something that we could support physically or uh, just with our
support there. And I’d be happy to get back with him and get back with you the first of the year.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Can I get a motion? Commissioner Cheek, your hand’s up, I’m
sorry.
Mr. Cheek: I too applaud you bring this to us and what I would like to see, and I’m sure
it would help our Administrator’s, if we could see a, kind of a line item list of the things, the help
that you’d like to see the City or the partnership you’d like to see with the City as far as facilities
or man power or anything else, you know, how, how your committee and the City will mesh to
help make this happen um, some more specifics on this. I think this is a great idea, maybe you
know for us, the time or year, the different venues, would you use Riverwalk, you know just
different specifics like that would help us go ahead and start making this happen. This is a major
endeavor um, certainly it’s something that could be a benefit to the area and a lot of fun.
Mr. Hatcher: The whole City will make its money, $254 million dollars to this economy.
With all the tourists, cause you say you want tourists in here, the budget, this is the way you’re
gonna draw it. And you also draw downtown as well ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: What would ---
Mr. Hatcher: --- cause it would be an annual event not just one. It would be an annual
event and do even better.
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Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: What Commissioner Cheek is saying though Mr. Hatcher, and I
think we’re saying the same thing, but we need to see your layout, or your schedule and what
you want the City to do. Uh, we gonna ask the Administrator to get with you and he’ll explain to
you exactly what we need from you so we’ll be able to look at it. To just to say that we can give
you our approval or say we agree I think we’re going to need to look at it a little bit closer, just to
see what we’re talking about. But if you get with the Administrator uh, if you haven’t got his
card or got his number, you need to get his number and, and ---
Mr. Hatcher: Nah, I got it.
. Can I get a
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay. Well, then we’ll, we’ll get y’all two together
motion to receive this as information?
Mr. Cheek: So moved.
Mr. Hatney: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion and a second. All those in favor let it be known by the
normal sign of voting.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Madame Clerk we’ll move into the consent agenda?
The Clerk: Yes, sir. Our consent agenda consists of Items 1-16 with the addition of Item
2 from our Addendum Agenda. For the benefit of any objectors to our alcohols petitions, when
the petitions are read if there are any objectors would you please signify your objection by
raising your hand.
PUBLIC SERVICES
1. To approve a request on premise consumption Liquor, Beer and Wine license to
be used in connection with Frosty Shop located at 3156 Wrightsboro Road.
2. A New Owner Application request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer
& Wine license to be used in connection with the Honky Tonk located at 1602 Gordon
Highway. There will be dance.
3. A request for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used
in connection with the Econo Lodge Lounge located 2051 Gordon Highway.
4. To approve a request to renew all existing alcohol beverage licenses in Augusta
Richmond County including adult entertainment with the exception of the MLK Lounge
and the Milledgeville Road Spirits. There will be dance.
The Clerk: Are there any objections to those alcohol petitions?
Mr. Grantham: None noted, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem.
11
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Is there anything you wanna pull first I guess, oh well lets add first,
Mr. Administrator. Is there anything that we wanna add to the consent agenda before we pull?
Mr. Shepard: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Shepard.
Mr. Shepard: Uh, Mr. Calvin Hicks’ office, the Board of Tax Assessors and Mr.
Claiborne who represents the petitioner um, Brookside Properties, Inc. in reference to Number
18, have arrived at a settlement of the um, valuation issue in that and I can read that into the
record and that would um, we have looked over it at my office and we uh, have uh, have
approved it. I can read it into the record or just file the letter that Mr. Claiborne has uh, sent with
us. The valuation is going to be reduced $1 million dollars uh, for the previous year. The taxes
have been paid so we owe him a, we owe Brookside Properties a refund of $11,680.43. I say this
has been negotiated through the Board of Tax Assessors. Mr. Hicks, did I leave out anything?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Dr. Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: One question. You said the tax amount had been, now what? A million
dollars worth, rolled back?
Mr. Shepard: Not rolled back, there was a dispute over valuation that uh, could not be
brought through the regular Appellate means from the Board of Equalization but they did have
the alternative of filing a suit under the Refund Statute and um, Mr. Hicks met with uh, uh the
Attorney for Brookside Properties and have presented a, a solution which includes uh, it’s basis
as reducing the valuation by $1 million dollars and um, that would uh, produce a refund of
$11,680.43. Since Brookside had already paid, and that’s another way of challenging the
valuation in addition to a straight appeal.
Mr. Hatney: My concern with that, I have no problem with what they’ve done as long as
it’s legal, and I imagine it is. But last year at the same time we had an individual who had paid
uh, his taxes but in time had requested um, some recourses towards the amounts which was not
granted and all he asked for, and its the same time last year, all he asked for was um, some
refund of the penalty and interest that had been approved during the time he was negotiating with
the City at no avail. So my concern is, how can we do this for this person this year, but last year
we wouldn’t do it for another person who had paid $135,000.00 in taxes and all he wanted back
was the penalty and interest that were accrued and he had paid, but the problem was negotiating
with the City and didn’t pay up. That’s my concern.
Mr. Shepard: Well, sir, the uh, the tax um, in question was in the three years, within the
three year uh, period that you can seek a refund then uh, I’d be happy to look again at that case to
determine if there is any inconsistency with what we have here, Dr. Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: Okay, we’ll get the case to you because it was last year, it sure happened
and he was not reimbursed and this body had turned down the reimbursement. All he wanted
12
back was the penalty and interest that was charged, that he paid during negotiations with the
City. And it was in a timely fashion so he ---
Mr. Shepard: Well, I’ll be happy to look at it sir ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Am I hearing any objections though on adding this to the consent, I
think that’s what you was saying Mr. Shepard? Am I hearing any objections, hearing none that it
be added to the consent agenda and maybe Dr. Hatney can get uh, the Attorney the other case
that we’re looking at. Uh, is there anything we wanna pull? I think we had one that was added,
added Number 18. Is there anything you wanna pull from the consent agenda, 1-16? Is there
anything that? Hearing none.
Mr. Grantham: Motion to approve.
Mr. Cheek: Second.
CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC SERVICES
1. Motion to approve a request by Peter Brown for an on premise consumption Liquor and
Beer license to be used in connection with The Frosty Shop located at 3156 Wrightsboro
Rd. District 5. Super District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 27,
2006)
2. Motion to approve New Ownership Application A. N. 06-59: request by Rajiv Bhardwaj
for an on premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with
the Honky Tonk located at 1602 Gordon Hwy. There will be Dance. District 5. Super
District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 27, 2006)
3. Motion to approve New Ownership: A. N. 06-60: request by Timothy D. Pirtle for an on
premise consumption Liquor, Beer & Wine license to be used in connection with the Econo
Lodge Lounge located at 2051 Gordon Hwy. There will be Sunday Sales. District 5. Super
District 9. (Approved by Public Services Committee November 27, 2006)
4. Motion to approve a request by the Augusta-Richmond County License & Inspection
Department to renew all existing Alcohol Beverage Licenses in Augusta-Richmond County,
including Adult Entertainment with the exception of MLK Lounge and Milledgeville Road
Spirits. There will be Dance. There will be Sunday Sales. Districts 1 thru 8. Super Districts
9 & 10.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
5. Motion to approve renewal of lease for office space at 925 Laney Walker Blvd. for the
Housing and Community Development Department. (Approved by Administrative Services
Committee November 27, 2006)
6. Motion to approve a request from Citizens Advisory Committee for the Mayor to add
and Ex-Officio Member to the CAC. (Approved by Administrative Services Committee
November 27, 2006)
PUBLIC SAFETY
13
7. Motion to approve the acquisition of 14 console workstations from Wright-Line
Furniture for the Augusta 911 Center. (Approved by Public Safety Committee November
27, 2006)
FINANCE
8. Motion to approve the replacement of one compact pick-up truck for Utilities-Customer
Service for $13,684, low bid offer on Bid Item 06-177. (Approved by Finance Committee
November 27, 2006)
9. Motion to approve, pursuant to the Redevelopment Powers Act, sale of portions of
property commonly known as Map and Parcel 018-0-001-00-1 and Map and Parcel 018-0-
001-00-0 to Dunnington Development, LLC, or its assignee, for $25,000.00 per acre and to
authorize the Mayor and Clerk of Commission to execute such documents as necessary to
consummate the transaction, all in form as approved by the County Attorney. (Approved
by Finance Committee November 27, 2006)
10. Motion to approve, pursuant to the Redevelopment Powers Act, sale of property
commonly known as Map and Parcel 022-0-010-14-0 and Map and Parcel 022-0-026-00-0 to
McKnight Properties, Inc., or its assignee, for $30,000.00 per acre and to authorize the
Mayor and Clerk of Commission to execute such documents as necessary to consummate
the transaction, all in form as approved by the County Attorney. (Approved by Finance
Committee November 27, 2006)
11. Motion to approve abatement of tax balances on two parcels of property acquired by
the City. (Approved by Finance Committee November 27, 2006)
ENGINEERING SERVICES
12. Motion to approve a change order to Atlantic Coast Consulting in an amount of
$400,000 for additional professional services for the solid waste department. (Approved by
Engineering Services Committee November 27, 2006)
13. Motion to approve the lease of 1,981 square feet of additional office space for the
Engineering Section of the Augusta Utilities Department on the second floor of The New
South Building, 360 Bay Street. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November
27, 2006)
14. Motion to approve award to Blair Construction for the installation of waterlines under
the daily rate for equipment and personnel for Waterline Replacement, Phase I, in the
amount of $200,000. (Approved by Engineering Services Committee November 27, 2006)
15. Motion to approve hiring two (2) people as temporary employees in calendar year 2007
to assist the Land Acquisition Staff in meeting the demands of their workload. (Approved
by Engineering Services Committee November 27, 2006)
APPOINTMENTS(S)
16. Motion to approve the appointment of Willie Law, IV to the Coliseum Authority
representing District 4.
Mayor Pro Tem: There’s been a motion and a second. All those in favor let it be known
by the normal sign of voting.
Mr. Hatney: Let the Clerk note I abstain on the first four.
14
The Clerk: Yes, sir.
Mr. Brigham: Mr. Mayor?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Uh, Mr. Brigham?
Mr. Brigham: Uh, I also want the Clerk to record my no vote on the adult entertainment
license.
Mr. Brigham votes No on Adult Entertainment portion.
Mr. Hatney abstains.
Motion carries 7-1. [Items 1-3]
Motion carries 8-0. [Items 4-16]
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Item 17, Madame Clerk.
The Clerk:
PUBLIC SERVICES
17. Motion to approve a request by Chris D. Kuneman for an on premise consumption
Beer license to be used in connection with Rack & Grill II located at 3801 Mike Padgett
Hwy. District 8. Super District 10. (No recommendation from Public Services Committee
November 27, 2006)
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Rob.
Mr. Sherman: The Sheriff’s Department and the License Department have reviewed the
application. Uh, we recommend that it be approved. There was some discussion about the um,
this agenda item at the Public Services Committee meeting, um and um, concerned about the
traffic at that location.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: So moved.
Mr. Smith: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith: Thank you. Uh, we have in the last couple of years gone to Atlanta to try to
get help from the Georgia Department of Transportation to get a center lane in that area, down
Highway 56. As you know it’s one of the highest accident highways that we have and uh, we
were able to obtain that from the highway commissioner and the funds started this past July with
um, surveying and engineering. However it’s going to be some time before construction comes
and the money is available for that. The problem with me, I’m not against the project, but it’s
the safety factor, beings I pass there everyday two or three times. There’s a lot of new
15
construction, Cross Creek High School, Goshen Elementary, uh, a lot of new development on
Old Waynesboro Road that’s using Boy’s Club Road as a pass through to get to Highway 56
because of so much traffic backing up at Old Waynesboro and Highway 56 as well as at least ten
school buses pass through there everyday, based on information that I have from the board. And
um, I was in hopes that, thinking that we might be able to put this off but after finding out from
DOT that it’s gonna be a couple years before this center lane gets actually installed, maybe
there’s some way that our Engineering Department can come up with some kind of safety factors
that would help out. And I wanted to ask Rob, you said the Sheriff’s Department had uh, had
approved it, does that bring into consideration the safety factor, or is that just checking out the
individual?
Mr. Sherman: That’s what’s, it’s checking out the individual, background check. Um,
there will be a new building constructed here so it, included in that process of, of, you know,
developing the site, the uh, applicant would have to have a site plan approved, routed through the
Planning Commission and to the various departments. Um, if he requests a curb cut on uh, Mike
Padgett, it would have to be reviewed by the State, um, then our local, uh, City Traffic
Engineering Department would review it as well. Um, further curb cuts on Boy’s Club Road.
Mr. Smith: Could we have the individual to tell us what he plans to put there?
Mr. Sherman: Sure.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Give us your name and address for the record please.
Mr. Speaker: Christopher David Kuneman, 1815 Courtney Drive, North Augusta, South
Carolina. Um, we are planning on building a billiards facility, um, it’s gonna be The Rack and
Grill ---
Mr. Smith: Can you speak up just a little please? Speak into the mike?
Mr. Kuneman: Yes, sir. This is gonna be a billiards facility there at the corner of Mike
Padgett Highway and Boy’s Club Road. Um, we are, as of right this second, it’s gonna be, you
know, as top of the line as we can do it. We’re looking at over $600,000.00 worth of um,
building materials and content to go into the facility. Um, we do plan on serving beer but no
other alcohol. Um, you know, unfortunately you have to serve beer in places like this to make it,
you know, economically feasible. Um, I don’t the believe the Commissioner has a problem with
the beer itself but just the amount of traffic that may be coming in and out of the facility. Um,
we also plan on um, possibly offering breakfast because there are very few restaurants out in that
area um, to help support the employees that are going out to the facilities and I believe Plant
Vogtle’s gonna be opening back up. Um, new growth out there so, that’s what our intents are.
Mr. Smith: What hours to you plan to open?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Through the Chair, uh Mr. Smith, through the chair. I learned that
from my Mayor. Go ahead, sir. What hours do you plan to open?
16
Mr. Kuneman: Um, from 5:30 a.m. until 10 o’clock p.m.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Five to ten. Uh, anybody else got any questions for this young
man?
Mr. Grantham: Yeah, I have.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Don?
Mr. Grantham: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. What is the ingress and egress pattern
you gonna have based on uh, Boy’s Club Road or Highway 56?
Mr. Kuneman: Well, that’s gonna be based upon approval by the City. In planning we --
-
Mr. Grantham: (Unintelligible).
Mr. Kuneman: --- do have a um, a preliminary drawing of the facility and the parking
area and um, you know, based upon the approval by the City we’ll have off Mike Padgett
Highway and um, and an entrance of 4 H Club Road as well.
Mr. Grantham: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, to further that question. Um, would you have a
problem excepting uh, a change in your request there that would have ingress and egress only
onto Boy’s Club Road uh, therefore assisting or helping with some possible actions or situations
on Highway 56 until the center lane is put in and then your request be made based on that
particular installation for that safety purpose.
Mr. Kuneman: Yes, sir, I would. It’s the simple fact because we’re purchasing the
property there on Mike Padgett Highway to offer our services as a commercial, you know, I
mean we’re buying commercial property on Mike Padgett Highway for that reason. This is on
Mike Padgett Highway, you know, I mean I don’t think that if they’re turning in a hundred foot
further down from Boy’s Club Road is gonna have any kind of impact um, in traffic what so
ever. Whether they’re coming in 4 H Club Road or Mike Padgett Highway, I think that would be,
you know best determined by the City and Planning and Engineering or whatever for us to tell
them, for them to tell us how we should come in or how we should exit.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Let me get our Attorney uh, and, and, finally can we legally not
deal with this young man uh, the license and like to open up uh, to go ahead and further it
because of what um, what might happen with the turning situation there as far as traffic. Uh, I
don’t think no where on Mike Padgett is safe if you look at it for as getting off of, all that’s
gonna be the same up and down there. So I just wanna know, can we legally use that? But if
License and Inspection, the Sheriff’s Department has approved this young man, can we not
award it Mr. Shepard on potential accidents that may happen?
Mr. Shepard: I believe we can’t.
17
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, that’s what I need to know. Do you believe or do you
know? I don’t want you to believe?
Mr. Shepard: It’s my opinion, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, well that’s, that’s what I need to know.
Mr. Kuneman: I’m sorry did you say ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: He said he believed he can’t uh, Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem:
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: He can.
Mr. Shepard: I said that the, he’s trying to have the driveway access. He says he’s
entitled to the driveway access from 56, is that correct?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: My question was can we not award this uh, young man the licenses
if License and Inspection and the Sheriff’s Department had approved him, can we withhold that
because of potential uh, accident that may happen coming off the road, I guess, it was my
question to you. You said you believe you can’t?
Mr. Shepard: Mr. Williams, I don’t think we can withhold this license ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay.
Mr. Shepard: That’s what I was trying to say.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, and I thought you said “believe” again. I just need to know
if License and Inspection had approved and the Sheriff’s Department that, that and I don’t think
he wants to cause traffic and I understand Mr. Smith out there that don’t wanna uh, cause any
traffic as well, but if there’s a reason, I need to know that.
Mr. Shepard: Mr. Williams.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Go ahead, Mr. Shepard.
Mr. Shepard: If you go to the more subjective criteria of additional considerations uh,
there is the uh, consideration of the location is where it’s sought as to traffic congestion, general
character of the neighborhood and the effect on the, the establishment would have on it, adjacent
and surrounding property values. Um, that would be a, that would be a stretch um, but the
secondary characteristics, the secondary um, considerations, one of that is location. Now um,
here again, I think you’ve got to have some more objective demonstration of traffic congestion
um, I don’t know the general character of the neighborhood really doesn’t, I don’t think come
into play here. The third factor under this is the effect it would have on adjacent and surrounding
18
property values. I haven’t heard any, anything about property values um, or negative affect on
the general character of the neighborhood. We don’t have um, we really don’t have much
evidence about traffic congestion. We have some speculation about it. Um, so, it, if you are of a
mind to uh, believe that there is additional traffic congestion created by this establishment, that’s
not one of our objective criteria, but it is one of our additional criteria which have been approved
in the Supreme Court.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Smith, one more time then we gonna, we gonna ---
Mr. Smith: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem. There’s a gentleman from the community
who’d like to speak, Mr. Padgett here.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Padgett, give your name and address for the record.
Mr. Padgett: Jeff Padgett, 3754 Old Waynesboro Road, Augusta. Uh, Mr. Mayor Pro
Tem, Commissioners. I don’t want to belay the points that Mr. Smith has made about safety. I
live about a quarter of a mile west of the 4 H Road intersection. Certainly there’s only one
stoplight at Waynesboro Road all the way to the Goshen stoplight. And my concern is just safety
and regardless of how the vote goes today, I would hope that in the future that the Commission
would look favorably on some infrastructure improvements. The turn lane that Mr. Smith talked
about and possibly a traffic signal. I mean, I don’t disagree with you. He seems to have met the
guidelines in terms of the Sheriff’s Department, those kinds of things, and I’m not, I’m not anti-
growth but I am pro-safety. I live right there, my family lives there, my neighbors live there.
Thank you so much.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: And your point is well taken uh, Mr. Padgett, and I think you’re
right. I think that if that’s the issue, that’s another issue we need to address as far as the
infrastructure and the traffic lights and other things that’s gonna come in that area. And I think
that’s something we need to be looking at, but I don’t think that that would be a reason not to
give this young man his, this, this authority to proceed. But I think we’ve had enough
discussion. Mr. Cheek, I saw, I’m sorry I saw your hand. Go ahead.
Mr. Cheek: I’m just going to say, Mr. Mayor, it comes down to the point where, and I
know this area quite well, my brother lives just a few doors down, in Country Place. A lot of
those areas are open fields or residential buildings on the one of the major commercial arteries of
this community. Are we gonna be pro business or are we not? Are we gonna grow our local
economy or are we not. The fact that we’re behind on improvements to Old Waynesboro Road,
the fact that an emergency, a declared emergency with improving Highway 56 is gonna take at
least two years, it’s ridiculous. It’s been identified by us and the State as a critical need. Why
that can’t be done sooner is just ridiculous. But I’m in favor of, you know I think I’m on record
on several occasions here of moving forward with business and I know that there’s some issues
but if Old Waynesboro Road is just like Windsor Spring Road it’s not gonna get any better until
we put some major money into it and that’s years away. Do we deny business in that entire
corridor, any kind of business until that time because any business can increase traffic, any
. So I’m just going to
business can cause additional safety hazards uh, to what’s already there
make a motion to approve.
19
Mr. Bowles: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We got a motion and a second. All those in favor let it be known
by the normal sign of voting.
Mr. Smith and Mr. Grantham vote No.
Motion carries 6-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Next Item, Madame Clerk, 19 I think.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
19. Motion to approve bid award of construction contract for Fort Gordon Gate 1 Water
Main to BRI Construction for $999,370.10. (No recommendation from Engineering
Services Committee November 27, 2006)
Mr. Byne: Good afternoon. This is the first phase of the Fort Gordon connection
th
contract that was signed and ordered by the Commission on June 20, 2006. The contract was
finalized between the Fort and between Augusta on September, end of September ’06. The time
for the first connection, which is this contract, is approximately 200 days, which ends in April
th
15. BRI was the low bidder on the contract. They were the low bidder by $72,000.00 and
$117,000.00 between the second and third low bidder. Their DBE percentage was originally 0%
but it was up to 10% by purchasing goods and services from three vendors, the largest of those
being a material supplier. The project itself consists of 9000 linear feet of duct, wire and water
main and BRI is a small firm out of Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Mr. Grantham: Motion to approve.
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: That’s a motion and a second. Is there any other comment? Hear
none. Now we’re voting by the normal sign of voting.
Mr. Bowles out.
Mr. Williams abstains.
Motion carries 6-1.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Next Item Madame Clerk.
The Clerk:
ENGINEERING SERVICES
20
20. Motion to approve award of construction in the amount of $2,181,453.00 to Garney
Companies, Inc. for the Industrial (CN) Wastewater Force Main project. Bid item #06-172.
(No recommendation from Engineering Services Committee November 27, 2006)
Mr. Byne: This project is approximately 23000 linear feet of HTP sewer lines, force
main. It’s gonna alleviate a lot of the industrial sewage from the Laney-Walker and the main
interceptor sewers which are currently having problems, having some issues of deterioration.
We’re gonna take that load off and place it directly into the head works of the new Masterly
plant. The low bidder was Garney by approximately $500,000.00 and $900,000.00 between
second and third low bidders. Uh, that is mainly due to the fact that the project is HTP pipe
which is a material that our local contractors aren’t very familiar with. The project itself
originally, uh, I don’t know if they were 0% but they’re up to 5% DBE which is mainly through
hauling contract. Based on the documentation they provided to us they did contact all the
construction contractors on the DBE list and um, were unable to achieve contracts with – subs,
so their DBE percentage is 5%.
Mr. Grantham: Motion to approve.
Mr. Smith: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion and second. Mr. Harper.
Mr. Harper: On the DBE, you said that was up, there was, what was the figure?
Mr. Speaker: It’s 5%. It’s approximately $80,000.00 of a $2.18 million dollar contract.
Mr. Harper: And they made a good faith effort to contact?
Mr. Byne: Yes, sir. They contacted, from the material they provided me, every
construction sub-contractor on the list and they had responses from several but they were unable
to come to agreements with uh, different sub-contractors and ultimately that’s what ended up
their percentage being 5%. They did state in the material they provided they have called, phoned
or emailed every DBE sub-contractor that does this type of work on the list.
Mr. Harper: That’s what they ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Go ahead, Mr. Harper.
Mr. Harper: That’s what they say. You have documentation on that?
Mr. Byne: Yes, sir, I have the written documentation they have submitted to me and in
addition they submitted some of the email logs, the advertisement to The Augusta Chronicle and
their own personal internal documentation. I don’t have their call logs or anything like that but I
have the spreadsheets they used to track their contacts.
Mr. Harper: Ms. Gentry, do you want ---
21
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Through the Chair.
Mr. Harper: I’m sorry Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Ms. Gentry.
Ms. Gentry: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, members of the Commission. Originally this contract
was submitted or proposal should I say, was submitted at 3.6% um, $80,000.00. I’ve had the
opportunity to speak with um, the prime contractor. He has assured us and has provided me
information indicating that he could get that, that, um he is committed to identifying a minimum
of $100.000, which comes out to the 5% that we were speaking of. In addition to that, he shared
with me, and we went through his proposal um, majority of this dollar amount of $2 million
dollars, 60% of it is going toward materials, a large type materials, not the industrial. He has
also um, committed to continuously, once he has been awarded the project, to continue to work
with the DBE office to identify additional sub-contracting opportunities. However again, he has
committed to $100,000.00, which equates to 5% of the total bid with 60% of um, the $2 million
dollars being awarded toward materials.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Uh, Ms. Gentry, let me, let me say and, and --- Engineering
Services Committee and I disagree and I still disagree. When you talking about $2 million
something and you’re talking about $100,000.00 out of $2 million for DBE, Disadvantaged
Business, not just local but disadvantaged. Uh, it was stated earlier that uh, they contacted
everybody on the list. Well that list what got me, I mean maybe there’s somebody that’s not on
the list that should’ve been called, but somebody, there’s some effort there, somebody
somewhere that could partake of some of this money that we’re spending. This is taxpayers’
money. This is everybody’s money. This ain’t just certain folk’s money, so it ought to be
divided. It ought to be at least as much as possible. Now for you telling me that only uh, 5% of
$2 million is all we can do as a, as a, City and when I look at other cities who’s already got
something in place. There’s Florida, there’s uh, even in Atlanta there’s other processes put in
place and we had not done anything. And I think this Commission need to get serious about the
contractors coming and let them know, that if you ain’t got it you need to get it. We need to
have the participation for disadvantaged businesses. We would never be able to do anything and
this community if we gonna out source everything. And I’m sorry some folk don’t like that but
that’s, that’s just ---
Ms. Gentry: Mr. Commissioner, let me share this with you also. Um, again I went
through the entire bid packet to identify what type of material, pipes and valves and fittings.
There’s not a local DBE company that can provide the specialty service when you start looking
at the large piping and the valves to that nature. That in terms of supplies, you’re looking at one,
um, in excess of $1,300,000.00. So we back that out. We’re looking at labor to equate to
$872,000.00. If I take that amount, then we’re looking at 11%. $100,000.00 of that $872.00 in
which you are referring to as it relates to subcontracting or any type of contracting opportunity
equates to more than 11%.
22
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Harper, I think you hand your hand up cause I’m, I’m, where I
am on this. I’m not moving. I’m not going no further with that. You had something, Mr.
Harper?
Mr. Harper: Yeah, now I’d like to make a motion we refer it back to Engineering
Services Committee. Rework this.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Is that a motion?
Mr. Harper: Yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’ll second that. Any other comment? Uh, Mr. Bowles.
Mr. Bowles: Yeah, I’d like to ask what the delay in the construction is gonna cost us on a
monthly basis?
Mr. Byne: I’m checking right now to see when the 60 day time period is when the bids
are no longer held, and I don’t have that date right in front of me. The second lowest bidder is
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additional $500,000.00, so if we do cross that threshold, the bids are October 25, November
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into December, roughly December 23, 25, you cross a 60-day threshold. Once that happens, if
they don’t want to honor the bid than you fault to the second contractor --- and that’s an
additional $500,000.00. Second beyond that is um, $900,000.00.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: The first time --- Mr. Bowles?
Mr. Bowles: Yeah, thank you. There’s one more thing that um, you know we have the
DBE office in place to provide a service and they’ve down all they could and you know and the
day that we start looking for DBE’s outside of Augusta, we’re taking local money and giving it
to somebody outside. This is our taxpayer’s money and it needs to stay local and I recommend
that, I’d like to make a substitute motion that we approve ---
Mr. Grantham: You already have a motion, not a substitute ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Andy?
Mr. Cheek: I understand and fully agree with the fact that we need to grow
disadvantaged, small and disadvantaged businesses. Those of the, that is the group most likely to
succumb to economic downturns or economic stagnation. I want to remind the Commission that
Augusta has enjoyed one of the lowest economic growth rates in the State for the last twenty
years second only to the bottom, from the bottom, from Albany as major cities. These
businesses that we’re trying to attract are usually the first ones to succumb to that kind of
economic stress. We’ve got to grow our business base and by continuing to offer, seek and
develop our DBE program, this percentage will grow. The areas like Atlanta and Florida and
other places have not had the type of economy that we’ve had for the last twenty, twenty-five
years and therefore they’ve had uh, very competitive DBE’s and a growing business market to
draw from. Augusta just hasn’t had that and I look forward to the day when we do. Um, it costs
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us enough and we lose enough to delays for these demolitions and other things. I’d just like to
see us move forward with this, knowing that our staff has made a good faith effort and I agree
with Commissioner Bowles that we keep the money local, because that money in fact does pay
local people um, of all persuasions and it’s just important to keep the money local, but it’s
important to realize too that this is gonna have to grow over time uh, and you can look at the
School Board, they have they have uh, --- in case made a good faith effort during the bonding
program, first phase of the bonding program and I think they where 13% or so in some areas but
that was common construction on school buildings. And here we’re looking at pumping
facilities and everything else with our Water Works Department, which is a very specialized
industry and you don’t find these folks uh, in fact a lot of times you won’t find things that you
need for these particular types of plants manufacturing in the United States. You’ll have to buy
them from a foreign country. And there are few distributors here, so I just ask the
Commissioners to keep that in mind if they vote and urge passage.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We got a substitute motion and a regular motion.
The Clerk: The substitute motion was to refer back to Engineering Services Committee
for review and the original motion is to approve.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Uh, we’ll vote on the substitute motion first. All those in favor let
it be known by the normal sign of voting.
(Vote on substitute motion)
Mr. Brigham, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Grantham and Mr. Cheek vote No.
Motions fails 3-5.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Call for the original motion.
The Clerk: Original motion is to approve.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All those in favor let it be known by the normal sign of voting.
(Vote on original motion)
Dr. Hatney, Mr. Harper and Mr. Williams vote No.
Motion fails 5-3.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Next item, Madame Clerk.
The Clerk:
ATTORNEY
21. Proposed editorial and technical changes in anticipation of the recodification of the
Augusta-Richmond County Code, 2006 Edition.
Mr. Brigham: So moved.
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Mr. Bowles: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Motion and second. Dr. Hatney?
Mr. Hatney: One question, Mr. Chair, to the Attorney. I’ve read this several times and
my concern is not to, I don’t have any problem with recodifying and that stuff, but I’m not
familiar enough with the code itself at this junction because this stuff that I see, the words
changing, it does not state what is now and what we’d like for it to be and so it would be hard for
me to vote positively today because I haven’t access to the whole.
Mr. Shepard: But it could be presented in any format that is uh, makes the understanding
of it um, an improvement as far as I’m concerned. Sometimes we have stated the entire previous
section and restated it with the changes. Since these were editorial changes, for example name
change, (inaudible) flexible. I can put it a format, which restates ---
Mr. Hatney: Just simply. If there’s a name change, what was the name, what is going to,
stuff like that, because it doesn’t tell me what I’m ---
Mr. Shepard: I’m flexible to do it either way. Or in the second reading I could bring it
back. I would like to get these changes in to the Municipal Code Corporation as soon as possible
so that we can finish the recodification of this code. So I have no objection in furnishing
additional language so that you see where we were and where we’re going.
Mr. Hatney: That’s all I’m asking.
Mr. Shepard: And I can do that.
Mr. Hatney: I need that ---
Mr. Shepard: Between readings sir, or um I’m uh, either way.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Now, now Mr. Shepard, if we approve this, the next reading
automatically approves or does it automatically go the Consent Agenda next time. Now we ---
Mr. Shepard: You gotta pull it.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, even if you pull it and it’s been approved in the second
reading come, and I understand Dr. Hatney needs some clarification. But if we approve this
today, then it ain’t gonna make no difference if he understand the change or not. If he don’t
understand them, it’s their law.
Mr. Shepard: If you, if you’re waiving the second reading of these today, yes they do
become final today, yes, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well ---
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Mr. Shepard: I have, I have um, had the minimums made on the second reading on the
ordinances sir, but uh, it’s not to uh, it’s simply to present this in the most concise format. We
can do it either way that makes the Commission uh, more aware.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Dr. Hatney.
Mr. Hatney: Like I said, I don’t have no problem with it, but I would need, so I could
vote positive on that, to have some insurance that before we actually vote on this again, that
information would be forthcoming and be inclusive in the document that we’re going to submit
as um, as actual. That’s all I’m asking if you had. I’d have been stated already I wouldn’t have
no problem but, I reckon now I don’t know what we’re coming from and where we’re going to.
It’s not in there. That’s what I’m saying.
Mr. Shepard: Yes, sir, I can um, I can put it in that format if that would make it easier for
the body to understand.
Mr. Hatney: Would it create a critical --- I’m sorry.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Go ahead.
Mr. Hatney: Would it create a critical shortage to you to receive this today as
information with the thought of approving it next time with that change, with those, with that
information involved? Because I can’t vote on it like it is now. I can’t do it.
Mr. Shepard: Let me uh, the Clerk and I are talking about this and a good suggestion
which she has made is, I believe we’re going to have, well in my opinion we’ll be having a
meeting before the Commission, committees to handle some other matters from the uh, from the
Attorney. If we can just put it on Monday, for that format, I have no problem, sir.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Anybody, now we got a motion and a second to approve it. Now
we need, are we gonna approve it as it is or ---
Mr. Shepard: I can bring it ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’re gonna need a substitute motion to change it if we’re gonna
put it on Monday so we can, we can understand it. It’s gonna have to be through a motion. We
got a motion to approve.
Mr. Shepard: We need a substitute motion to that effect.
Mr. Hatney: Well, I’ll offer that motion cause I’m just not, I can’t vote to approve it.
Mr. Harper: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We got a motion and a second. So we just put it on for Monday
with the other thing that we ---
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The Clerk: --- requested language, Commissioner Hatney asked for.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Right. We’ll go on and vote on the substitute motion. All those in
favor let it be known by the normal sign of voting.
Mr. Brigham, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Grantham and Mr. Cheek vote No.
Motion fails 3-5.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ll call for the original motion. All those in favor of the original
motion let it be know by the normal sign of voting.
Mr. Hatney, Mr. Harper and Mr. Williams vote No.
Motion fails 5-3.
Mr. Mayor: Ms. Bonner I suggest we put it on for Monday with the other that we can
look at this and get this approved so we won’t be uh, --- Mr. Russell.
ADDENDUM
22. Motion to approve the observance of Christmas holidays for city employees on
December 25 and 26, 2006 rather than on December 22 and 25, 2006.
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, members of the Commission. Traditionally, our
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Christmas holidays have involved the 24 of December and the 25 of December. Because of
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the way the calendar falls this year, we initially scheduled to be closed on Friday the 22 and
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Monday the 25. After talking to several judges and their calendar, looking at several of our
th
staff and several requests, I’ve made the arrangements to be closed Monday the 25 and Tuesday
thnd
the 26. Uh, we’d be working and open on Friday the 22. And I just want to have that read
into the record please sir.
Mr. Hatney: One question. He said Friday, does that include all day work being only we
would be doing that? What about half a day?
Mr. Russell: Traditionally, we have let people go a little bit early on that particular day.
Mr. Hatney: That’s what I’m talking about ---
Mr. Russell: That’s been a ---
Mr. Hatney: Noontime.
Mr. Russell: Um, something or another. As far as the decision I’ve made but, if you
want to do that ---
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I’m not gonna be able to support that, a noon break now. I mean
we know they’re gonna do it, but I’m not gonna sit here and say that folks gonna leave here at
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noon, no I’m not gonna do that. I think, I think we ought to, if you gonna use those days,
Monday and Tuesday’s is one thing, and what happens on Friday is like anything else that
happens around here. Can I get a motion?
Mr. Hatney: My motion is that we do half day Friday, Monday and Tuesday.
Mr. Bowles: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We got a motion and a second.
Mr. Brigham: I make a substitute motion to do what the Administrator suggested.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: I second that. We’ll vote on the substitute motion first and then
read the substitute motion back again Ms. Bonner so I’ll be clear.
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The Clerk: The substitute motion was to have the Christmas holidays December 25 and
ththth
December 26. The original motion was to have the holidays on December 25, 26 with a half-
nd
day on December 22.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ll vote on the substitute motion first. All those in favor let it be
known be the normal sign of voting.
Mr. Hatney: --- substitute motion what are we voting for.
The Clerk: The substitute motion is to receive the recommendation ---
Mr. Hatney: (unintelligible).
thth
The Clerk: --- yeah, the 25 and the 26.
Mr. Brigham: Clear my machine, Ms. Bonner. I hit the wrong button. So used to voting
no on substitutes.
Mr. Hatney and Mr. Bowles vote No.
Motion carries 6-2.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Shepard, we do our Legal on Monday with ---
Mr. Shepard: Was that the question, sir?
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Yeah.
Mr. Shepard: Uh, we can handle the Legal on Monday. It did occur to me that under the
Consent Agenda’s 9 and 10, we had decided to travel under the Land Bank as opposed to the
Redevelopment and Powers Law. I did not earlier state that. If you would clarify that, I would
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. Just a motion to reconsider and um, conduct both dispositions under the
appreciate it
Land Bank Law.
Mr. Brigham: So moved.
Mr. Williams: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Andy?
Mr. Cheek: I’ll second that.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: And a second. All those in favor, any other comment, if not, all
those in favor let it be known by the normal sign of voting.
Mr. Shepard: Thank you.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Andy?
Mr. Cheek: Um, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, I voted or I hit the button anyway. I’m
going to make a motion to reconsider Item 20.
The Clerk: Let me just say this. Could we just get a motion to, that motion was to
reconsider and to change it to the Land Bank?
Mr. Cheek: No, no, no.
Mr. Brigham: The previous motion was to change it, make a correctional change to Land
Bank.
The Clerk: Yeah, 9 and 10.
Mr. Brigham: 9 and 10, right.
The Clerk: To reconsider it first.
Mr. Brigham: Oh well, it was a joint motion then.
The Clerk: Okay, that’s what I was asking. Okay, thank you.
Mr. Cheek: I thought we were beyond that.
The Clerk: Okay, you want to reconsider Item 20?
Mr. Cheek: I make a motion to reconsider Item 20.
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Mr. Grantham: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: You gotta have a unanimous consent to do that.
Mr. Cheek: No, you don’t.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: How many you got?
Mr. Hatney: You need six votes though to do that.
Mr. Cheek: To approve it but there is discussion prior to.
The Clerk: Okay, to reconsider.
Mr. Hatney: I thought you needed six votes to reconsider. We gotta have that and we
don’t have that. Go ahead and vote then.
Mr. Cheek: There has not been adequate debate on this. That’s up to the Chair to rule.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: We’ll go ahead and vote on the reconsider motion to reconsider my
---. That’s the first thing. All those in favor of recon ---
Mr. Cheek: Clarification. The Chair has ruled and there has been adequate discussion
although there has been zero discussion.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: On Item 20?
Mr. Cheek: To reconsider it.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Oh, okay. Let’s talk about reconsidering it.
Mr. Cheek: Thank you, Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, and I’ll be as brief as possible. I just, a
couple months ago we got in a big fight over demolishing a building. We took the
recommendations of staff in spite of a lower bid in order to um, go ahead and get the project
through, based on recommendations of staff. Now we have staff telling us on Item 20, that they
have done a good faith effort. That the Utilities Department, DBE, everyone has done a good
faith effort. I can’t believe that we’re gonna deny and raise the cost of this project, this important
project and I believe it’s in the East Augusta, Sand Bar Ferry? I mean, because we
Commissioners, I mean, what is it? We don’t think they’ve done enough or we want them to
broaden the scope, or we want them to call people who haven’t been called. I don’t know. I just,
to me I think that when we passed that before Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, we acted on the
recommendations from staff. We took a step of faith that staff said that the contractors were not,
hadn’t done their due diligence in providing the documentation. We went to court and we
moved forward. In this case, staff is telling us that that they’ve done the best they can. They’ve
got all that they can out of this. Most of the purchases in the contract is capital equipment, or
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large pieces of equipment. It’s gonna cost us several, $30,000.00 a month I think is general
construction delay costs or whatever. It’s gonna run the cost of this project up and make us able
to do less with the same amount of money. I just, there’s not, it’s inconsistent in that the public
sees that, this is an important project, staff is recommending we approve, they’ve done their best,
I just urge us to reconsider this. And that’s the only reason I brought it up. Cause we can move
forward on this and we can, and I pledge my support to continue to push to get DBE
participation and to grow the DBE community. But we’re not gonna do it overnight. And us
talking about this in committee and delaying this and costing us 15, 20 30 thousand dollars
against this project, isn’t gonna change the numbers unless we’re gonna start dialing people
ourselves.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Well, let me, let me first of all clarify something uh, Commissioner
Cheek. This is like looking at apples and onions. They’re totally different. They last uh, the uh,
the staff they quoted the building you talking about tearing down was not the low bid and, and,
and I don’t wanna, I don’t wanna get mixed up in that because that there’s some things I think
are still out and I don’t how that’s going, whether is going with Legal so, I’m not giving anybody
any points. But let me say this. And I think all of us want to, to do the best we can for the local
economy and do what we can. But when you talking about $2M plus dollars, and you going to,
at first initially was $80,000.00 and then they got up to a $100,000.00, I think that’s better than
fair. Now maybe they done all they can do. I heard that they contacted the ones on the list. And
that’s what I listened to, the list part. Maybe they need to get off the list. There are some people
in this area, around this area that can contribute and, and do some things. We spend big money
here. I grant you that. And we do wanna do something like that. We hadn’t had this before.
Never had we had this before. It’s always been whatever come to the table, take it off and then
everybody just stand back and look. And I think this entire Commission is tired of that. We
wanna see that money’s being is spent in this community with everybody in this community.
And disadvantaged, and this ain’t minority, this ain’t black, this ain’t white, this ain’t Hispanic,
this is disadvantaged businesses that we was mandated by legislature to put somebody here to
look at those businesses. And I think it’s time for us to do that. And until these contractors
understand that we are not playing games, I don’t want to get to what I really wanna say about
how much money we done spent and where it’s been. Mr. Bowles if you’ve got a comment, go
ahead.
Mr. Bowles: Yes, sir. I agree with you but, you know for us to delay projects because
some businesses have not or will not sign up for the DBE listing, it is a disservice to our
taxpayers. And people who live in that community they are affected by the drainage issues that
we’re discussing. If a builder wants to participate with our Government, they need to come
down here and sign up with our Government. And it’s time that businesses grow up and start
acting like businesses and we quit babysitting these people and let them become responsible
business owners. Thank you.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Mr. Russell.
Mr. Russell: Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, there’s an additional issue here that has not been
brought to the table that I think we need to consider when you make this decision. Part of this
project is to reduce the flow in the Laney-Walker sewer main. As you know, over the past
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several months we’ve had issues with that particular area collapsing. We’ve had to do
emergency repairs, and everyday that we hesitate to take that flow off, not only are we costing
ourselves dollars on this particular project but we’re potentially uh, complicating an issue
through Laney Walker in which that sewer main is carrying the type of flow that it’s carrying,
beginning to collapse and continue to collapse. There is an additional cost and inconvenience
and potential issue there that we need to look at. And I don’t believe anybody has any
disagreement with what we’re trying to do there but I think this is a project that we need to move
forward with a whole lot quicker than what we have been. And I would hope that we would
consider that as we move forward.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Jerry?
Mr. Brigham: Uh, I didn’t know if you saw Mr. Russell’s hand. I was trying to point it
out.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Okay, I’m there then, Jerry, but I, was there a motion to
reconsider?
The Clerk: Yes, sir, we have it. Just need to carry the motion.
The Mayor Pro Tem: All those in favor to reconsider let me know by the normal sign of
voting.
Motion carries 8-0.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: Now what’s the motion?
The Clerk: Now we need a motion to approve.
Mr. Grantham: Motion to approve.
Mr. Bowles: Second.
Mr. Cheek: Motion to approve and we’ve got a motion. I’d just like to add to that
that we encourage staff to redouble their efforts to grow the list and to develop our DBE
database to where we have more people to draw on, as an amendment to the motion
perhaps.
The Clerk: Do we have a second on that?
Mr. Bowles: Second.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All those in favor let it be done known by the normal sign of
voting.
Motion carries 8-0.
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Mr. Cheek: Thank you, Jesus.
Mr. Mayor: Adjournment. Any objections?
Mr. Cheek: Motion to adjourn.
Mr. Mayor Pro Tem: All those in favor let it be known by?
Mr. Cheek: Hallelujah.
The Clerk: Second to the adjournment?
Mr. Hatney: Second.
The Clerk: Okay, thank you.
[MEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:40 P.M.]
Lena Bonner
Clerk of Commission
CERTIFICATION:
I, Lena J. Bonner, Clerk of Commission, hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy
of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Augusta Richmond County Commission held on
December 5, 2006.
___________________________________
Clerk of Commission
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